My Top 3 Routes... by Lake District filmmaker Terry Abraham

Posted on 15/07/2016

Award-winning outdoor filmmaker and photographer Terry Abraham has followed up his hit 2014 movie about England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike by spending the last year shooting and producing a sequel on its Lakeland neighbour Blencathra. Terry’s new movie Life of a Mountain: Blencathra was released on DVD in May and, like its predecessor, will be screened on the BBC later this year.

To celebrate the film’s release, ViewRanger caught up with Terry to discover his three favourite walking routes on Blencathra, which is 868 metres high and affectionately known by locals as ‘The People’s Mountain’.

Route 1 – Sharp Edge

Terry says: “By far and away the most exhilarating and exciting route on ‘ole Saddleback’ (a historical name for the mountain that’s rarely used now) is an ascent of the infamous arête Sharp Edge from Scales, then descending the lesser visited Hall's Fell ridge. I actually prefer to head up the latter, but Sharp Edge can be tricky in descent for the uninitiated, with hidden drops, greasy slopes and sheep trods often mistaken for paths down Foule Crag. For safety reasons, this route is best done on a calm day with prevailing dry ground conditions, because the slate on both ridges can be treacherous to those faint of heart.”

Terry says: “For the discerning walker who enjoys peace, solitude and perhaps a greater sense of wilderness, this is one of my favourite walks to blow away the cobwebs. Don't be put off by the apparent lack of interest, because the excitement comes from hardly meeting another soul and big wide views of the Northern Fells. Bowscale Fell affords one of the most interesting views of the iconic Blencathra, rising majestically above Bannerdale Crags. If you're keen on wild camping, this is a safe and easy route in all seasons with plenty of water sources and soft turf to pitch up for the night.”

Terry says: “This is my favourite easygoing stroll on Blencathra, where you'll be more or less alone and enjoy aspects of the fell most people don't see. Beware of some steep and slick slopes of grass, often mixed with hidden boulders you can easily trip on and you'll get on just fine. Quite simply walk a while, sit down for some time and admire the scenery that surrounds you. This is a therapeutic way to enjoy the fell in most conditions and is a real soul cleanser for me.”